Craig Kapitan is a Senior Multimedia Journalist for New Zealand's Herald, with extensive experience reporting on crime, navigating courtrooms, and supervising other crime and courts reporters.
I started my newspaper career in 2000 and have spent the majority of my time since then navigating courtrooms in the United States and New Zealand or supervising other crime and courts reporters. Along the way, I’ve covered the trials of a military base mass shooter, gang hitmen, rogue police officers and prison guards and more murder and death penalty cases than I can recall. Non-courtroom assignments have included rushing to a small Texas town where remnants of Nasa’s Columbia space shuttle rained down after its explosion, coverage of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, a one-on-one interview with former US President George Bush Sr and a surreal ride in Chuck Norris' ute during which I quizzed the actor about his favourite Chuck Norris jokes. Some of my proudest moments in journalism include an investigative series that helped result in the criminal conviction of a judge and a 20,000-word, four-part story about a decorated police officer whose life was nearly destroyed by PTSD after serving as a sniper in Iraq. The later series resulted in a 2008 Livingston Award, which dubs itself the Pulitzer Prize for reporters under 35. I tied in the ‘excellence in national reporting’ category with The New York Times’ CIA reporter. I studied journalism at the University of Missouri and worked for newspapers in San Francisco and Texas before moving to Auckland in 2015. I spent six years in the TVNZ newsroom before starting at that Herald in 2021.
‘Pop, pop, pop’: Killer Beez member's inside account of gang war shootings
Pacer, Stinger and Gun Smoke Killer shot into the wrong house. Children were inside.
Senior cop acquitted of causing death in 190km/h motorcycle pursuit
The person who died had meth and cannabis in his system, the defence emphasised.
‘Exposes your true instincts’: Judge slams child abuser for ‘appalling lack of empathy’
He denied being a paedophile, even after pleading guilty to repeated sexual abuse.
‘Kurupt Churchie man’: Ex-Air NZ worker who smuggled meth was a youth mentor
The 'Tongan Pablo' was respected both in church and the criminal underworld.
Murder-accused gives evidence on point-blank Queen St shooting
His lawyers claimed self-defence but the defendant described something different.
‘Gone forever’: Family’s grief as man jailed for 21 years after employee’s meth-laced beer death
Aiden Sagala’s overdose death was part of NZ’s largest meth importation case.
Drunken catcall, lewd remark preceded ‘execution-style’ shooting on Queen St, jury told
The shooter, whose partner was targeted by the catcall, has claimed self-defence.
‘Execution’ or self-defence? Jury watches CCTV footage of Queen St killing
The killing was caught on 'crystal clear' CCTV footage.
‘Hang your head in shame’: Judge blasts woman for horrific 24-day kidnap, torture scheme
The captors wanted a crypto password. They used a blowtorch and meat cleaver to get it.
Mongrel Mob mum’s year on the run: Woman absconded to avoid sitting beside daughter at murder trial
She was granted compassionate bail to attend a funeral but never returned.
Prominent NZ musician guilty of biting ex, plastic bottle attack
The defendant, found not guilty of nine other charges, keeps his identity secret for now.
Permanent suppression for teen killer partially blinded in ‘prison napalm’ attack
He was sentenced to three years' imprisonment, allowing him to begin applying for parole.
‘Trivial’ interaction: Liz Gunn’s assault conviction overturned by High Court
A judge has ruled the contact with a security officer was acceptable, not an assault.
‘Total disregard’: Serial thief jailed after bizarre Maserati, Bentley heist at $10m property
Police found incriminating message on his phone: 'Hope you solved that f***en Maserati.'
‘I was pretty high’: Serial thief stole $60k focusing on donation boxes, tip jars
For years, he was a bane on North Island businesses. But a remarkable change was reported.
Teen killers’ identities finally revealed, two years after road rage stab attack on stranger
The siblings were found guilty in May but continued to keep their identities secret.
Man accused of smothering child with a pillow after body taken to police
The murder accused took the child's body to Manukau Police Station last month.
Liz Gunn lobbies high court judge to toss airport assault conviction
A District Court judge said her actions were 'hostile' and not socially acceptable.
Woman jailed for 156km/h crash that killed sister after Mother’s Day ‘bottomless brunch’
The driver had been pulled over once on the way home but was allowed to carry on.
Serial thief attacked supermarket security guard while trying to steal tinned corned beef
Serial shoplifter Terence Tere has a penchant for corned beef, mayonnaise and chocolate.
Ram-raid police brutality case: Girl, 14, punched twice as officers avoid conviction
The illegal confrontation took place during the heart of Auckland's ramraid epidemic.
'Nightmare situation': Cop acquitted of perjury over unauthorised speeding tickets
His lawyer slammed police superiors and said a criminal charge was a vast overreaction.
Former Givealittle director drove drunk twice in one night
She was five times over the legal limit - twice.
‘Changed my life’: Couple lose life savings as mum-of-three steals $465k from business
A couple lost their successful horticultural business, future dream home and life savings.
'New epidemic': AI-generated child sex abuse pics found in NZ
Customs warns it is taking action and has several cases before the courts.
‘Don’t check your pockets’: Guard who smuggled drugs into prison blamed actions on menacing note
The prison guard said he feared for his safety if he didn't comply.
'My baby!': Protective mother shielded 3yo as masked strangers invaded motel room, swinging bat
The attack stopped only after the bat split in two.
Social media influencer outed as serial sex offender
The former socialite had maintained suppression despite having been in prison since 2022.
Avondale murder case: Auckland man's identity withheld to inform family in China
The woman was found dead inside an Avondale home over the weekend.
'Desperate, greedy': Dream wedding prompted bride-to-be's $61k Briscoes swindle
The church youth group volunteer avoided jail but not a conviction.
1000 crimes in nine months: Email swindler targeted vulnerable, elderly, 'technologically illiterate'
Jordan Hall was awaiting trial for $179k in thefts when he defrauded IRD of $138k.
Man made his own bullets, 3D-printed guns while under protection order
The guns he printed were called FGC-9s, short for "f*** gun control".
'Confused and unsophisticated': How a comedy of errors dashed a $2.5m liquid meth plot
The plan to retrieve the drug, hidden inside shock absorbers, needed some work.
$340,000 missing: Gambling addict Auckland property manager sentenced for fraud
Little did his employer know it was funding his SkyCity Casino addiction.
‘You wait. I’ll get you’: Driver ran down sister’s abuser at Christmas
He spotted the man walking and swerved onto the footpath and hit him.
Ferrari-driving 'Pink Porsche' ecstasy kingpin sentenced alongside wife
The couple were respected Auckland entrepreneurs, but the drug trade fuelled their wealth.
'Gratuitous and unprovoked': Thief jailed for fatal attack on 60yo who wanted stolen car back
The victim was backing away when he was hit with a blindside punch.
'The kids won't shut up': Court cuts sentence for mum who killed infant, condemns absent dad
'The kids won't be safe,' she had previously warned her ex-partner.
How a construction company's email blunder led to NZ's first-ever 'cartel conduct' criminal case
'It's cheating the system,' a judge said today as MaxBuild's director was sentenced.
Arrest warrant issued after ex-reality TV star skips sentencing to attend gig
The judge said he wouldn't let the court be 'an absolute laughing stock'.
Xmas mercy for alcoholic whose ninth drink-driving offence involved $400k AT bus
He said he drank 'two goons and was trying to be stupid' but didn't want to steal the bus.
How a police shooting led to the unravelling of a black market gun-trafficking scheme
Police found text messages in which the duo discussed grinding serial numbers off guns.
Home detention for ex-Killer Beez member who planned rogue hit on rival gang member
The judge said the defendant has a tough road ahead after handing in his patch.
Fateful call: Skipper told sandbar decision 'the one you regret the most'
Kevin McQuire pleaded guilty earlier this year over Clarks Beach boating tragedy.
‘Just lost it’: Court docs outline why a convicted baby killer decided to murder again
Donovan Duff's name and criminal history had been kept secret until today.
Mongrel Mob baby killer admits second murder – this time inside Auckland prison
He already had a minimum non-parole period of 17 years before the second killing.
Ex-Auckland pharmacist asks judge to toss conviction for $50,000 theft so he can work in Australia
A conviction might make it more difficult to attend pharmacist conferences, he said.
Lured through a dating app: How man with spotless record became drug ring henchman
Loneliness made him vulnerable to exploitation, his lawyer said.
Sex worker who fatally stabbed beloved father jailed after judge rejects rape claim
The father-of-two from Ghana bled to death after having an artery severed in his arm.
Businessman who drove off with 70yo woman hanging off his ute jailed for manslaughter
Miaoyuan Liang died after falling from the side of Anthony Williamson's vehicle.
Where's the $50,000? Serial robber jailed for bizarre casino heist, but cash still missing
Eru Stevens has a history of robbery and schizophrenia. They go hand-in-hand, court told.
Jailed again: 501's wild police chase in stolen $249k Porsche followed murder-for-hire plot
Sifa Tevita relieved himself in front of police as the 1.5-hour, 100km chase ended.
Hells Angel admits drug scheme, but was he 'Mr Big'?
Police never found the 451kg of high-quality meth. They solved the case without it.
Darts player who fatally stomped on opponent's head at Auckland bar guilty of murder
Chris Salt claimed his victim was a deportee who had a gun. He was wrong.
Suppression lapses for Auckland man accused of fatally stabbing ex-partner
A murder trial has been set for 2026.
Tyre iron attack: Home-d for street racer who permanently disabled resident irate over burnouts
The judge suggests he sell his "precious" Holden to fund a $15k victim reparation payment.
Disgraced property developer jailed after undercover child sexual grooming bust
He was caught trying to trade gift vouchers for sex with a 14yo, police say.
‘My dad scares me’: Life sentence for man who stabbed ex to death with their 6yo in house
He attacked after she accused him of selling their child's Nintendo.
'Peaceful' murder defendant who kicked, stomped man's head with full force says he meant no harm
Christopher Salt said he thought the victim was a 501 who had a gun. Neither was true.
Brian Tamaki walks free on Covid-19 protest charges
Brian and Hannah Tamaki have been on trial alongside two other church members for weeks.
Man who stabbed witness prior to trial now says he was hearing voices - judge rejects claim
Kevin Marshall said he would decapitate his ex so she couldn't give evidence.
'Blatantly crossed a line': Judge rejects tomato juice protester's conviction appeal
Others must be deterred from using physical attacks as a form of protest, the judge said.
King Cobra jailed 18 years, despite brain tumour, for airport meth scheme
Nigel Iuvale lured Auckland Airport baggage handlers into the criminal underworld.
Jury rejects 16yo's self-defence claim after plunging knife into schizophrenic stranger's neck
But the group also rejected a murder finding.
Gang war blunder: Killer Beez members admit firing into home with sleeping infant, 8yo boy
The rival gang member they wanted to target no longer lived there.
Coward punch, fatal head stomps: Trial begins for man who attacked darts opponent
Jurors were shown video of the attack caught on CCTV.
'Not once been caught': Gang associate who bragged about drug importation success is jailed
The former Head Hunters prospect found himself at the centre of a gang beef.
Teen describes moment he stabbed stranger's neck at Auckland bus stop
“Oh f***, that’s no good," he recalled thinking as blood started spurting.
Violent offender shanked four inmates during year-long prison stabbing spree
He's been in and out of adult prisons since age 13.
Police Commissioner's secret call with Brian Tamaki revealed at lockdown breach trial
Coster offered masks for Tamaki's protest, warned of backlash if rules were broken.
'Not a piece of meat to be cut': Man sentenced for brutal throat slashing of ex-wife
The attack lasted almost 8 minutes, with pauses to replace the knife blade.
Destiny Church leaders on trial, accused of defying Covid restrictions
The controversial religious figure risks up to six months' imprisonment if convicted.
Repeat offender prison-bound again after blasting hole in hotel room door
David Mane was already on parole for shooting a man in the stomach in Northland.
Return of the Tinder swindler: After prison, prolific scam artist picked up where he left off
Fraudster attends latest sentencing in construction get-up, saying he wants to work.
'No remorse': Grieving dad yells at drink driver who killed 14yo boy
Tere Moekore was four times over the limit when she hit Kaea Matau - and kept on driving.
Polkinghorne's blame game backfires as he returns to court after murder acquittal
Judge: There was no evidence at trial suggesting Pauline Hanna purchased or used meth.
Polkinghorne sentenced to 150 hours of community work for meth use
The surgeon sought to downplay his P usage, but it was a centrepiece of the Crown case.
'Brutal act': Drug-dealing duo left body to rot after Epsom motel attack
It was the second homicide one of the men had been linked to.
Tongan rugby team hires man who joined deadly attack on MMA fighter Fau Vake
Semisie Pomale was granted a discharge without conviction, in part because of his new job.
Fonterra manager guilty of manslaughter over meth-laced beer death
Aiden Sagala, 21, died after unknowingly drinking contaminated beer.